Himachal CM targets production of 3.50 Cr Apple boxes in this season, preparation began

Shimla, Jul 15 (UNI) Shimla district administration claimed that all preparations were completed for the smooth
operation of apple season beginning from today onward as main control room was set up at Fagu, the Govt has set target to achieve the apple production of about 3.50 Cr boxes of apple this year.
Deputy Commissioner Shimla Aditya Negi chaired a meeting of officers and farmers unions at Shimla on Wednesday discussed about the operation being done . The DC said that during the season apple growers and traders would be provided every facilities in the markets keeping the Covid pandemic SoPs.
He said that concerned Sub Divisional Magistrate have held a meeting with the growers, unions of Trucks
and Pickup vehicles operator in the region for smooth transportation of season.

Main control room for the season was been set up at Fagu for purpose of monitoring the a activities of the apple
season. in addition to this check post cum sub-control room has been set up at Shoghi, Giripul,Narkanda, Sadupul, Balag and Kudu.
In the sub control room would be computerized with separate software for keeping IDs of Drivers, to calculate the apple boxes, collect funds and registered the arrival and departure of vehicles to assist the apple growers.
These check post would ensure transparency in the apple season and help the gardeners from cheating by the fake traders and commission agents.
The necessary guidelines have been issued to police department to tackle the traffic jams.

To ensure the safety of traders, farmers and other stakeholders during the Covid pandemic all sub containment official would issue instructions to ensure SoPs issued by the Government provided it would not cause inconvenience to the smooth operation of season.
DC said that in order to allow the smooth and effective transport of apple loaded trucks all main and link
roads have been repaired in the district Shimla moreover instructions have been issued to Public Works
Departments to prevent the blocked or disruption of road traffic due to rainy season for smooth flow of
transportation and traffic.

Apple production is back bone of hill economy as it run the livelihood of about 3.50 to four lakh house holds and contribute about Rs 3500 Cr to state GDP annually.
Shimla, Kullu, Mandi,Chamba, Kinnuar, Lahaul Spiti and Sirmour district are apple producing districts in the state and Shimla contributes half of the total production. Apple season run from Mid of July to End of October every years.
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